10 June 2016

HBRC Annual Plan decisions

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has provided $200,000 to Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated to help in its preparation for Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival being held in Hawke’s Bay next year.

Around 30,000 people are expected to descend on the region for the event, which involves around 48 Kapa Haka teams.

The decision to assist with funding comes after two days of hearings and consideration of Council’s draft Annual Plan 2016-17 and the proposed 2015-2025 Long Term Plan amendment.

Council also agreed to assist with $40,000 to the Whangawehi Catchment Management Group for ongoing operational costs. The group has been successful in progressing enhancement work within the Whangawehi Catchment. Council plans to meet with the group to find a more sustainable solution for the future.

HBRC Chairman Fenton Wilson says the work the group does is important for ongoing sustainable hill country management in the Wairoa District.

Council also assisted with $5,000 to Nga Tukemata o Kahungunu Charitable Trust for assistance with Waitangi Day Celebrations.

Council has agreed to invest $300,000 in buying a third share of the Waipataki Camping Ground, subject to Hastings District and Napier City Councils contributing the same amount. The decision is also subject to agreeing suitable governance and ownership terms.

Mr Wilson says it is challenging to accommodate all the funding assistance requests and council will be focussing on how to address this before the next annual plan round next year.

“While we have been unable to provide financial assistance to other groups with worthwhile projects around the region, including some in Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay, Council is keen to keep communicating with those groups with the view to partnering with them in the future where it is appropriate,” says Mr Wilson.

“I am pleased we have been able to assist some worthy projects in the region and still keep the proposed rate rise to 4.95%.

Meanwhile, Council also agreed to take more time to finalise its decision on contracting water from the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme. All Councillors agreed they needed more information to better understand the value of the environmental flows.

All the decisions made after the annual plan hearings will be ratified by Council on 29 June.

ends

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